RiseTx: A distance-based intervention for reducing sedentary behaviour among prostate cancer survivors

Mounting evidence also suggests that extended bouts of sitting has deleterious associations with health outcomes in cancer survivors independent of physical activity. Cancer and its treatment together with the threat of COVID-19, has contributed to additional stress levels experienced by prostate cancer survivors. Therefore, supportive care interventions adapted to the pandemic among prostate cancer survivors are needed. Building on our successful pilot study, we will evaluate the effects of a 12-week intervention using wearable technology + behavioural counselling vs. wearable technology alone (control group) in reducing sitting time and increasing physical activity in prostate cancer survivors. We now propose an efficacy trial of RiseTx with some modifications to address the maintenance of the behaviour change we observed in the initial pilot. Maintenance of behaviour change was not a focus in the previous trial. As such, all components of the previous intervention including the RiseTx application and wearable activity tracker will be retained and we will provide additional behavioural support through videoconferencing to maintain behaviour change, which is an extension of our prior work. The intervention will consist of five phases consisting of behavioural counselling (e.g., goal setting, action planning) and daily step goals of 3000 (i.e., using an activity monitor; Fitbits) over the average of their baseline week at the end of 12 weeks. Prostate cancer survivors in the control group will receive Fitbits only with no further resources. This intervention has high potential for broad reach as it can ultimately be delivered through internet- and mobile-based applications. With internet usage growing fastest among older Canadians, our study will create a unique distance-based platform that could be scaled for use by clinical and community-based organizations as a low-cost, supportive care tool to improve quality of life for all cancer survivors.